Dear All, A reminder that the Call for Papers closing date (30 November) is
nigh for the British Forum for Ethnomusicology conference in Aberdeen next
year. Note that both themes may be interest to subscribers to this list.
Best,
Julia (Bishop)
National Centre for English Cultural Tradition
University of Sheffield
-----Original Message-----
British Forum for Ethnomusicology
Annual Conference : 15-18 April 2004
University of Aberdeen
Themes:
Ethnomusicology at Home
Transformed States
Keynote speaker:
Jeff Todd Titon
"'Homesick for Heaven': Distance and Nostalgia in Ethnomusicological
Fieldwork."
General Information
The Elphinstone Institute and the Music Research Group at the University of
Aberdeen are pleased to welcome the 2004 Annual Conference of the British
Forum for Ethnomusicology, taking place from Thursday 15 April (afternoon
start) to Sunday 18 April (finishing early afternoon).
With its sparkling granite buildings, Aberdeen is Scotland's third largest
city - a combination of historic charm, thriving economy, and cosmopolitan
community. A seaport and centre for Europe’s North Sea oil and gas
industries, it is home to 212,000 people. From the mile-long beach and the
historic 15th century university campus in Old Aberdeen, it is less than
half-an-hour to the tranquillity of the nearby hills and countryside in one
of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. Aberdeen caters for all tastes in
arts, culture, leisure, and entertainment with His Majesty's Theatre, Music
Hall, and Lemon Tree regularly attracting national and international
artists. The Aberdeen Art Gallery, Maritime Museum, and Marischal Museum
are all highly recommended. There are also many good restaurants and bars.
Accommodation in single or twin en-suite rooms is in King’s Hall less than
5 minutes’ walk from the Regent Lecture Theatre, New Kings, and the
Linklater Rooms, where the formal conference activities will take
place. (Parking is available at New Kings and on the campus.) We can also
offer a list of reasonably priced local accommodation.
Evening events will include a performance of traditional Scottish ballads
and music, a participatory workshop, and the traditional BFE party. There
will also be time to explore the local area with an excursion to nearby
castles and glens.
Booking details will be available in October and will be posted on the BFE
website as well as being included with the Newsletter. To help us estimate
the number of rooms needed, we would welcome initial expressions of
interest from all who hope to attend. Please e-mail or write to Ian Russell
at the address below.
We hope that as many members and other interested colleagues as possible
will join us for what promises to be an inspiring, stimulating and sociable
gathering.
Call for Papers
Theme 1: ‘Ethnomusicology at Home’
As in social anthropology and other ethnographically-based disciplines, the
researcher in ethnomusicology is increasingly turning towards the ‘home’
context as a relevant base for fieldwork. This approach merits close
examination and discussion.
Papers should address such issues as:
· What are the methodological implications?
· Are there implicit ideological or political considerations?
· What are the advantages and disadvantages of the approach?
· How does it affect fieldwork style?
· How does status as insider or outsider affect the role of the
ethnomusicologist?
· Is a reflexive stance more or less relevant when ‘at home’?
· In the case of a ‘native ‘ fieldworker is s/he blinkered or more
capable of significant
insights?
· Where is ‘home’?
Theme 2: ‘Transformed States’
In many different cultures and contexts the music people make is dependent
for its inspiration on a transformed state of mind. This may be induced by
administering substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, or narcotics.
Alternatively the transformed state may come from ‘within’, through
emotions or feelings, such as joy, love, grief, fear, or from religious
devotion or spiritual experience. Similarly body movements, especially
dance or rhythmic percussion, may be the source.
Submissions should address such issues as:
· What is the nature of the relationship between the transformed
state, its stimulus, and the
music?
· How does the transformed state affect musical creativity and/or
meaning?
· How does music contribute to the process of altering states of mind?
· What part does social and cultural context play in shaping the
transformed state / music
making?
Research in Progress
There will be the opportunity for students to submit proposals for short
papers of 10 minutes based on their ongoing study (whether or not pertinent
to the main themes).
Panels
Pre-formed panels of 90 or 120 minutes may also be proposed.
Submission of Proposals
Abstracts of up to 300 words (extended pro rata for panels) should be
submitted, preferably by e-mail to Ian Russell by 30 November 2003. In the
case of postal submissions, authors should include two copies but with
their identity and institutional affiliation included on one copy only,
plus a copy of the text on disk to facilitate eventual reproduction in the
book of abstracts. Please also indicate (a) what audio-visual equipment
the presentation will require, and (b) whether you expect to be in
attendance for the full duration of the conference. Abstracts will be
evaluated anonymously by an expert panel and authors may expect to be
advised of their acceptance or otherwise in the New Year. Those in need of
an earlier decision should contact Ian Russell. Papers on the conference
themes should last for no more than 20 minutes and there will be up to 10
minutes allowed for questions and discussion.
Convenor
Dr Ian Russell, Director
The Elphinstone Institute
University of Aberdeen
24 High Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3EB
Tel: +44 (0)1224 272386
Fax: +44 (0)1224 272728
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Website:
www.abdn.ac.uk/elphinstone/
BFE and Conference Website:
http://www.bfe.org.uk / (select ‘Conferences’)
Local Organising Committee
The local team consists of Ian Russell (Director of the Elphinstone
Institute), Colin Milton (Associate Director of the Elphinstone Institute),
David Smith (Assistant Director of University Music), and Mary Anne
Alburger (Lecturer in Music). Bookings and other matters related to
conference attendance, including the receipt of abstracts, will be handled
by Ian Russell.
___________________________
Dr Ian Russell, Director
The Elphinstone Institute
University of Aberdeen
24 High Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3EB
Tel: +44 (0)1224 272386
Fax: +44 (0)1224 272728
[log in to unmask]
Website:
www.abdn.ac.uk/elphinstone/
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